Colorado State University Athletics
Three Phases: Defense Continues Growth
9/21/2025 2:00:00 PM | Football
Players appreciate Norvell’s aggressive approach
Jay Norvell had a hunch. It went against conventional thinking, but the way Saturday's game played out at Canvas Stadium, one can clearly see the reasoning.
First in line are the players he coaches.
I loved it. I loved the play call, Jackson Brousseau said. I thought it was awesome. Putting the ball in Tahj (Bullocks') hand, Tahj is dynamic. We just didn't execute, but that's on us. We got to get that right.
Linebacker Owen Long felt the same way. The Rams had tied the game after an extra point following a touchdown pass to Rocky Beers by Brousseau, but a flag against UTSA moved the ball between the 1- and 2-yard lines, leading Norvell to go for the win with 29 seconds remaining.
It takes guts. The players see it as a sign of faith.
It means everything to us, Long said. That's someone we want to play for. Somebody who wants to go win the game. That's something we can rally around.
The play – a roll-out pass – just didn't got as planned. UTSA pressured Bullock right away, delaying his attempt to running back Lloyd Avant, and Colorado State was left with a 17-16 defeat at the end.
If not for the flag, Norvell said he wouldn't have gone for the 2-point try and the win. But he had a play he liked, and his team had been rolling at the time.
I like the play that we had. I thought it was the right play, and a lot of those decisions have to do with if you like your play or not, Norvell said. But after the penalty … The penalty is what really made me decide to do it. You know, (the ref) waved it off, and I told him, 'wait a minute, I haven't made a decision yet,' but if we wouldn't have had the penalty, I wouldn't have went for it, but we did, so I felt like that gave us an opportunity to get it.
Offense
The unit struggled for three quarters with Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi behind center, but the insertion of Brousseau brought an immediate spark. He completed 10-of-12 passes for 78 yards, including his first career scoring pass to Rocky Beers, the second touchdown scored in the two drives he engineered.
Playing behind a three-year starter doesn't leave much opportunity for playing time, but he was ready when his name was called.
Brousseau said there was a bit of an adrenaline rush, but he went back to the fact he's been playing the game since he was young.
You've got to do it every single day. It starts back in January, just preparing like you're going to be the guy every single day, he said. And so, the process never changes, and you just got to be ready for your number to be called.
He had some help. Avant came in at running back at the same time and played a significant role in the offensive resurgence. He finished with 96 yards on just 10 carries, with runs of 23, 16 and 14 in the contest.
In a deep room, he was he one having the most success.
Lloyd's a good player. I've talked about our running backs, Norvell said. I think we've got several guys who are capable of stepping up and making plays, but Lloyd's a good back. He's a really good back. He and Jalen (Dupree) are really a nice complement, and we still like Justin (Marshall).
Defense
UTSA entered the game averaging 36 points per game, but the Rams cut that number in half. The unit played solid with the exception of two explosive scoring plays – a 76-yard run by Robert Henry Jr., and his 74-yard receiving score off a swing pass. Both came on third-down plays.
Under new defensive coordinator Tyson Summers, the group has come together quickly.
I just think that the whole group plays really, really hard. And I think it's so motivating, Long said. You look to your left, you look to your right, and you got just 11 dudes who they're giving their body every play.
It's fun to be a part of. Ultimately, we're frustrated with the outcome of the game. But we'll get back to work and get back to the drawing board and find ways to fix it.
Long has done his part. He had produced double-digit tackles each game, finishing with 14 against UTSA.
He was a player the staff found late in the recruiting process, a safety in football and a pretty good baseball player, but he has proven to have a knack to be in the right place at the right time.
He's got a natural nose for the football. So, wherever the ball goes, he's gonna find it, and some kids are just like that, Norvell said. And so that's what makes him such a natural at linebacker, and especially for the defense that we're playing, him having the ability to run and hit and make plays. He's a really good player. He's had three really good ball games, and I just expect him to get better and better.
Colorado State's defense produced the only two turnovers in the game – UTSA didn't have one in three games prior – with interceptions by Ayden Hector and Robert Edmonson.
Special Teams
Bryan Hansen punted more on Saturday night (seven times) than he had in the previous two games combined (five). New to the role, one of his kicks went for a career-long 62 yards, putting three of his attempts inside the 20. He finished averaging 46.3 yards on the night. The Roadrunners gained one yard on their five returns as coverage was good, spearheaded by a couple of nice plays by Keegan Holles.
Placekicker Isaiah Hankins was good on his second attempt of the season – from 23 yards – his first make as a Ram.
